Linda A. Krutsinger 10

A former SIUC student shot by a Carbondale Police officer Oct. 12 has been admitted to the Chester Mental Health Center, a maximum security treatment center near Menard Correctional Facility, where he will undergo psychiatric evaluation for an undetermined time.

Norman Moore, 24, of Carbondale, was shot in the chest by police at 4:30 a.m. Oct. 12 at the Sports Center 1215 E. Walnut St., after making what police determined were threatening movements toward an officer with a bowie knife and ignoring orders to drop the weapon.

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The Chester facility provides maximum security treatment for patients sent by the state’s criminal courts for reasons of not guilty by reason of insanity’ or unfit to stand trial’, said Jo Warfield, spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Police were first called to Jim Pearl Inc., 1015 E. Walnut St., with a report that Moore allegedly was damaging cars at the business and threatening witnesses.

Police said Moore made his way on foot from the car lot to the Sports Center, where he had forced entry and made threats against employees.

Two Carbondale Police officers confronted Moore in the bowling alley and told him to drop his knife. Police said Moore closed in on one of the officers, dropped his knife, then reportedly moved to retrieve it and made a threatening movement toward the nearest officer. The officer fired one shot from his handgun, striking Moore in the chest.

As part of standard procedure, police are conducting an internal review of the incident. The results have not been released. Police Chief Don Strom has said he believes the officer acted accordingly.

Moore recovered from his gunshot wound and was incarcerated in Jackson County Jail before being admitted to the Illinois Department of Mental Health. He faces several criminal charges including attempted murder, which could result in a 20-year minimum prison sentence upon determining he is mentally fit to stand trial.

Moore last attended SIUC in 1994 as an elementary education major.

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